August 2016 On the Farm

I have decided to blog each month about what's happening on the farm (or our life in general).

I'm going to begin with some quick highlights of the last couple months since November isn't over yet...

This is a terrible photo, but those pails are full of yummy, frothy, nutritious milk for my babies!
How many cows to make that much milk (100 lbs)? you might be asking...
Only two (2)!!!

Aug. 4 - Most of the corn has tasseled!

So proud! Hubby's first time loading bales & he did a splendid job! He's a natural farmer :)

Yuck! And it's just going to get worse they say...
Neither the cows nor I like this weather at all! This is why we have lots of fans & shade for them all inside!

Aug. 12 - One month into milking with robots & every day keeps getting better!

Aug. 13 - 1,461 days since he had me from hello.

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August 13 - Very grateful for the gentle steady rain after a dry spell. (Update @ 11:30: not so gentle anymore...)

Praying for those that need moisture and for those that have too much - a constant struggle in the farming community.

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Mad-scientist-baby at Addison County Fair & Field Days.

One of our carpenters got a Rottweiler puppy!

Since the bulls live outside in the summer, the cats have taken over their pen.

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August 26 saw the third and final robot up and running! Cow 172 was the first to milk in the new robot and in the first three hours of operation it milked 30 cows!!! They sure are liking the new set-up. :)

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George is keeping my seat warm for me. :)

Lashes for days!

Saying goodbye to our first home...wonderful memories.

August 31 - What a beautiful morning it was watching storms roll through the Champlain Valley
(Those bumps at the bottom are the ladies headed up tp the feed bunk enjoying breakfast & the view.)

Late (or Early??) New Year's Resolution...

I have been silent on my blogging endeavors for a while now.

Farming, photography, and life in general has taken up my time.

However, I miss it, so I am going to attempt to be more active!

Stay tuned! :D

October 2016 On the Farm

It's so fluffffffffy!!!!

(Left) is how the snaps are supposed to look...
The (middle) and (right) snaps?
Because cows.

October 9 - Brother packing the bunk so we can cap it with black plastic & tires tomorrow.

(I'm still learning about photography & how to take night photos...but I have to say this came out decent considering I was only using the flash on my Canon (and Lightroom does wonders!)

Messy eaters are the cutest

October 12 - Getting the combine fueled-up & serviced for bean harvest.

October 17 - Overhead doors were installed today on the milk barn additions.
Winterizing has begun.

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It always amazes me the amount of food farmers in this wonderful country of ours produce with such limited land resources!

Farmers must be and *are* stewards of the land, natural resources, and animals.

Farmers are the ultimate environmentalists.

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October 18 - Well, it is New England...

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October 18 - We belong to a local co-operative where our milk is shipped through that is farmer owned. Tonight was the member informational meeting.

Highlights:

> milk price doesn't look good for farmers

> 2017 has been difficult to predict what will happen in the dairy world - hoping positive #FingersAndToesCrossed

> our co-op has lost 10 farms in the last year

> our trucking company (& the *whole* country) needs more young truckers to haul products, produce, everything #TruckersAreImportant

> our lovely (sarcasm) state is trying to tax and regulate us out of farming

> this election could make or break agriculture as a whole ✔ #GetOutAndVote

There's still a large surplus of milk & dairy products - so Eat & Drink More Dairy everyone!

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October 19 - We are privileged to host a meet-&-greet /farm open house for Randy Brock who is running for Vermont Lt. Governor.

(If you missed it, don't worry! We will have another open house later on!)

Setting up.

Everyone enjoyed learning about the robots.

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October 24 - A bit of color & some snow on the Adirondack peaks across the Lake

October 27 - sigh not yet please!

New boots mean dry socks!